25. The Amityville Horror (1979) - another classic I hadn't seen. I love a good haunted house movie & it's been a slasher-heavy October so far. Metaphors for anxieties of home buying/ownership & financial hardship has on families still hit almost 50 years later. Good understated creepy vibes.
24. Scanners (1981) - a classic sci-fi horror by David Cronenberg. This was the first of his movies I've seen, though I am culturally aware of his work. Great practical effects, soundtrack, pulpy vibes, themes of corporate murder complex & the surveillance state. Effective moments of body horror.
23. Death Line (1972) - starring Donald Pleasance & Christopher Lee (w/ an incredible mustache). Great opening theme, minimal soundtrack otherwise. The cinematography & directing enhances the horror of the imagery. Addresses organized abandonment of unhoused people & working class.
22. The Devil's Doorway (2018) - found footage set in 1960s Northern Ireland as recorded by Catholic priests documenting purported miracles. Addresses some real dark histories of Irish Catholic churches. A couple effective jump scares & overall creepy vibes. I'm a sucker for Irish accents.
21. Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988) - Jason vs a teenager w/ telekinesis & feelings of guilt over the death of their abusive father. That part of the story is unfortunately more about her shitty psychiatrist, & kills are all recycled from earlier movies. Might be the one I like least.
This also extends to marginalized ppl in "red states" where their right to exist in peace is constantly up for debate. Some of them live there because they literally have no choice. Might be poverty, might be school/work/family obligations, might be something else. "Just leave!" isn't an option.
I love Prince of Darkness. It's on Peacock currently & I'm seriously considering buying the 4K bluray from Shout Factory during their Halloween sale.
20. From Beyond (1986) - modern (for its time) imagining of a Lovecraft short story. Themes trying to control the unknown, harmful models of treating mental illness from carceral to professional aggrandizing. Good use of light & practical effects/body horror, even the early tech CG fits the vibe.
we're now as far from the release of Garth Marenghi's Darkplace as Garth Marenghi's Darkplace was from the release of Garth Marenghi's Darkplace
On October 7th, 2024, I want to repeat Edward Said’s advice to us all: “Where cruelty and injustice are concerned, hopelessness is submission, which I believe is immoral.” Heads up. Hearts open. We can build a better world.